N.M. Admin. Code § 8.291.430.15

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 21, November 5, 2024

Section 8.291.430.15 - INCOME STANDARDS

Verification of income, both earned and unearned, is mandatory for all MAP categories of ACA related eligibility. Verification methods can be found at 8.291.410 NMAC.

A. All income will be calculated as defined by Section 36B of the Federal Tax Code to produce a MAGI. This amount is compared to the FPL for the appropriate MAP category of eligibility and household size.

B. MAGI is calculated using the methodologies defined in Section 36B(d)(2)(B) of the Federal Tax Code, with the following exceptions:

(1) an amount received as a lump sum is counted as income only in the month received except for qualified lottery and gambling winnings per Subsection D of 8.291.430.15 NMAC;

(2) scholarships, awards, or fellowship grants used for education purposes and not for living expenses are excluded from income;

(3) the following American Indian or Alaska native exceptions are excluded from income:

(a) distributions from Alaska native corporations and settlement trusts;

(b) distributions from any property held in trust, subject to federal restrictions, located within the most recent boundaries of a prior federal reservation, or otherwise under the supervision of the secretary of the interior;

(c) distributions and payments from rents, leases, rights of way, royalties, usage rights, or natural resource extraction and harvest from;

(i) rights of ownership or possession in any lands described in Subsection B of 8.291.430.15 NMAC; or

(ii) federally protected rights regarding off-reservation hunting, fishing, gathering, or usage of natural resources;

(d) distributions resulting from real property ownership interests related to natural resources and improvements;

(i) located on or near a reservation or within the most recent boundaries of a prior federal reservation; or

(ii) resulting from the exercise of federally-protected rights relating to such real property ownership interests.

(e) payments resulting from ownership interests in or usage rights to items that have unique religious, spiritual, traditional, or cultural significance or rights that support subsistence or a traditional lifestyle according to applicable tribal law or custom; and

(f) student financial assistance provided under the bureau of Indian affairs education programs.

C. Certain income of children and tax dependents: The following are not included in household income:

(1) The MAGI-based income of an applicant or recipient who is included in the household of their natural, adopted, or step parent and who is not expected to be required to file a tax return under Section 6012(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code for the taxable year in which a MAP category of eligibility is being determined, is not included in household income whether or not the applicant or recipient files a tax return.

(2) The MAGI-based income of an applicant's or recipient's dependent who is not expected to be required to file a tax return under Section 6012(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code for the taxable year in which a MAP category of eligibility is being determined is not included in the household income of the taxpayer whether or not such dependent files a tax return.

D. Qualified lottery and gambling winnings are included in MAGI-based income based on the following:

(1) Qualified lottery winnings are defined as winnings from sweepstakes, lottery, or pool described in section 4402 of the internal revenue code (which generally requires that these particular activities be conducted by a state agency or under the authority of state law), or winnings from a lottery operated by a multistate or multijurisdictional lottery association or tribe. Multijurisdictional lotteries include those that include multiple entities of government. Qualified lottery winnings apply to the single payout option. Lottery winnings paid out in installments are not considered qualified lottery winnings and are treated as recurring income that can be prorated over a twelve-month period to determine an average current monthly income for medicaid.

(2) Income that is received as a lump sum from monetary winnings from gambling is included in MAGI-based income. Gambling winnings include betting pools, wagers placed through bookmakers, slot machines, roulette wheels, dice tables, lotteries, bolita or number games, or the selling of chances therein including tribal winnings.

(3) Non-cash prizes, like a car or boat, are not counted as qualified lottery winnings or monetary winnings from gambling and are counted as lump sum income in the month received.

(4) Formula for counting qualified lottery or gambling winnings: For qualified winnings from lotteries or gambling occurring on or after January 1, 2018, the following formula applies for counting income:

(a) winnings less than $80,000 are counted in the month received;

(b) winnings of $80,000 but less than $90,000 are counted as income over two months with an equal amount counted in each month;

(c) for every additional $10,000 one month is added to the period over which total winnings are divided, in equal installments, and counted as income;

(d) the maximum period of time over which winnings may be counted is 120 months, which would apply for winnings of $1,260,000 and above. HCA in the notice of case action (NOCA) notifies individuals of the date on which the lottery or gambling winnings no longer will be counted for the purposes of medicaid eligibility; and

(e) the formula for counting winnings is applied separately to each instance of winnings.

(5) Lottery or gambling winnings count as MAGI-based income over multiple months only for the individual receiving the winnings in the household. For other individuals in the household, the winnings count only in the month received in determining their MAGI-based income eligibility.

(6) Verification of lottery winnings: HCA requires verification of lottery winnings, but will first access electronic data sources, if available, before requesting documentation.

(7) Hardship exemption: HCA allows for an exemption of the counting of lottery winnings if the applicant or recipient with the lottery winnings can demonstrate an undue medical hardship such that the applicant or recipient's health or life would be endangered. An applicant or recipient must submit a written request along with supporting documentation. A decision regarding a medical hardship exemption will be made within 30 calendar days of receipt of the written request. Notice of the exemption decision will be mailed to the applicant or recipient. If an exemption is approved, then an eligibility determination will be made without counting lottery winnings. If an exemption is denied, then the applicant or recipient can request an HCA administrative hearing pursuant to 8.352.2 NMAC. Hardship exemption request information is contained in the NOCA.

E. Parent mentor compensation: A parent mentor is a parent or guardian of a medicaid eligible child who is trained to assist families with children who have no health insurance coverage with respect to improving the social determinants of the health of such children. Section 3004 of the HEALTHY KIDS Act excludes certain parent mentor compensation from the MAGI calculation. The disregard of parent mentor income applies only in the case of parent mentors working with a grantee organization under section 2113 of the Social Security Act. Nominal amounts paid as a stipend, wages, or other compensation for participation as a parent mentor in a grant-funded program under section 2113 of the Act are excluded from income. A nominal amount is defined as $1,600 per month. Parent mentor income above $1,600 per month is counted in the MAGI calculation.

F. Discharged student loan debt: Student loan debt that is discharged, forgiven or cancelled is taxable income to the borrower, and the amount of discharged debt is included in the MAGI-based income. Discharged student loan debt is not included in income (and not counted in the MAGI-based income) of a borrower for tax years 2018 through 2025 if the debt is discharged on account of the death or the permanent and total disability of the student. The borrower and the student may or may not be the same person. Student loan debt discharged under these circumstances is not counted as income in determining household income for other members of the borrower's household.

G. Alimony received: Alimony payments under separation or divorce agreements finalized after December 31, 2018, or pre-existing agreements modified after December 31, 2018, are not included in the income of the recipient. For individuals with alimony agreements finalized on or before December 31, 2018, alimony continues to be included in the income of the recipient for the duration of the agreement unless or until the agreement is modified. Self-attestation is accepted for the verification of the date of execution of separation or divorce agreements that include the provision for alimony.

H. Alimony paid: Alimony payments under separation or divorce agreements finalized after December 31, 2018, or pre-existing agreements modified after December 31, 2018, are not deductible by the payer. For individuals with alimony agreements finalized on or before December 31, 2018, alimony payments continue to be deductible. Self-attestation is accepted for the verification of the date of execution of separation or divorce agreements that include the provision for alimony.

I. Moving expenses, including expenses incurred by the individual as well as reimbursements from an employer, are not deductible in calculating MAGI for tax years 2018 through 2025. Moving expenses are deductible for active duty members of the military who are ordered to move or change duty station.

J. Tuition and fees deduction: Effective January 1, 2018 the payment of tuition and fees for qualified education expenses for postsecondary education is not an allowable deduction in calculating MAGI.

N.M. Admin. Code § 8.291.430.15

8.291.430.15 NMAC - Rp, 8.291.430.15 NMAC, 1-1-14; A, 6-1-14, Amended by New Mexico Register, Volume XXVI, Issue 21, November 16, 2015, eff. 11/16/2015, Amended by New Mexico Register, Volume XXXI, Issue 22, November 24, 2020, eff. 12/1/2020, Amended by New Mexico Register, Volume XXXV, Issue 14, July 30, 2024, eff. 8/1/2024